Brendan Rodgers has resigned as manager of Celtic following a 3-1 defeat to Hearts, which left the team eight points behind their Edinburgh rivals in the league standings. Former club manager Martin O'Neill will temporarily return to lead the team, alongside former Celtic player Shaun Maloney. In a statement, the club announced that Rodgers' resignation was accepted immediately and expressed gratitude for his contributions during his two successful tenures at the helm. Celtic has already begun the search for a new permanent manager and will update fans on developments in the near future. Meanwhile, O'Neill and Maloney will take charge of the first team.

From a sporting perspective, Rodgers' departure marks a significant turning point for Celtic, who must quickly regain stability to return to winning ways. The interim team of O'Neill and Maloney could provide the necessary experience and inspiration to overcome the challenges ahead.

Expert Analysis: Rodgers' exit comes at a critical juncture for Celtic, and the appointment of O'Neill and Maloney, both with deep ties to the club, could be a strategic move to steady the ship and reignite the team's competitive spirit.